a friend who

USAGE SUMMARY

"a friend who" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you wish to refer to a particular friend. For example, "My best friend is someone who is always there for me in times of need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conversation with a friend who collects post-.

The New Yorker

Another had a friend who read palms.

The New York Times

"From a friend who worked there.

The New Yorker

Hillary asked a friend who he was.

The New Yorker

"Igot this from a friend, who brought it from home.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I had a friend, who died.

The New Yorker

A friend who will truly be missed.

The New York Times

Mr. Rommeney ran into a friend who knew Mr. Lancaster.

The New York Times

A friend calls a friend who knows a guy.

The New York Times

Do you have a friend who weighs less than you?

The New Yorker

"I had a friend who lived in 626," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a friend, use vivid details and specific examples to illustrate their personality and qualities. For instance, instead of saying "a friend who is kind", say "a friend who always brings soup when I'm sick".

Common error

Be specific when describing your friend's attributes. Avoid vague statements like "a friend who is nice". Instead, provide concrete examples of their behavior to make your writing more engaging and believable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friend who" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information or description about a friend. This phrase is used to specify a particular quality, action, or characteristic of the friend. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a friend who" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to introduce a relative clause that describes a particular attribute or action of a friend. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across a variety of contexts, though it frequently appears in news, wiki and scientific sources. When using this phrase, prioritize specificity and avoid overly broad statements to create more engaging writing. Remember that "a friend who" is generally preferred over "a friend that" when referring to people in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A close friend who

Adds the adjective "close" to emphasize the intimacy of the friendship.

A confidant who

Replaces "friend" with "confidant", emphasizing trust and shared secrets.

A companion who

Substitutes "friend" with "companion", suggesting a closer, more supportive relationship.

One of my friends who

Specifies that the friend is part of a larger group of friends.

A pal that

Uses a more informal term ("pal") for friend and replaces "who" with "that".

A buddy who

Uses a more casual term ("buddy") for friend.

A comrade who

Uses "comrade" suggesting a friend in a shared struggle or cause.

Someone I know who

Expands the phrase to include a broader category of acquaintances, not necessarily close friends.

An acquaintance who

Replaces "friend" with "acquaintance", indicating a less intimate relationship.

A fellow who is a friend

Rephrases to emphasize the person's status as a friend.

FAQs

How can I use "a friend who" in a sentence?

You can use "a friend who" to introduce a relative clause that describes a friend's characteristic or action. For example, "I need "a friend who" will tell me the truth, even when it's hard to hear."

What are some alternatives to "a friend who"?

Alternatives include "a pal that", "a companion who", or "someone I know who", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a friend that" instead of "a friend who"?

While "that" can sometimes replace "who" in relative clauses, it's generally preferred to use "who" when referring to people, especially in more formal writing. Therefore, "a friend who" is generally considered more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a friend who" and "my friend who"?

"A friend who" refers to any friend that meets the criteria you're describing, while "my friend who" refers to a specific friend of yours. The first is general, the second is specific.